Variations in Phenotypic Plasticity and Fluctuating Asymmetry of Leaf Morphology of Three Quercus (Oak) Species in Response to Environmental Factors

<p>Leaf morphology of <em>Quercus</em> (oak) species is highly variable and complicated confounded with phenotypic plasticity and fluctuating asymmetry (FA). However, the study of variation is mostly limited to leaf morphology. This study was extended to plasticity and FA variations in <em>Q. alba</em> (white oak), <em>Q. palustris</em> (pin oak), and <em>Q. velutina</em> (black oak). It was hypothesized that light exposure, individual trees, leaf position, and other leaf traits will influence variation in these species. Leaves were sampled from trees of these species and their morphological traits were measured. Absolute asymmetry of leaf width and area were determined and plasticity of each species was calculated. The data were analyzed using nested ANOVA with General Linear Model. Leaf morphology, plasticity and FA varied across the species and light exposure was the main source of variation. Individual trees and several leaf covariate traits also influenced leaf morphological and FA variations in all species.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Kusi, Joseph

• Quercus
• leaf morphology
• phenotypic plasticity
• fluctuating asymmetry
• GLM
• general linear model
• Biology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1160

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2323